New condom drive starts in Ohangwena

Is there one for me too? Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Petrina Namutenya Haingura (third from left) checking the first consignment of Smile condoms to be distributed in Ohangwena. She is joined by Kirsten Moeller-Jensen (left), the Director of Development Aid from People to People, Wessie van der Westhuizen, MD of Namibia Breweries, German Ambassador Onno Hückmann (third from right), Dr Friedrich von Kenne, Country Director of the GIZ and Peter van Wyk (right), CEO of the Namibian Business Coalition on AIDS.

In a renewed effort to get more condoms distributed, a commercial and diplomatic partnership, this week sent the first consignment of Smile condoms to the North.The Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies with the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Namibian Business Coalition on AIDS (NABCOA), Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) and the German Embassy representing the GIZ, launched the development partnership for a new wave of condom distribution.

The project starts with a trial phase to the Ohangwena region. It will be rolled out to other regions after twelve months.The distribution network of Namibia Breweries serves as supply network to deliver the condoms to large redistributors who will pass them down the distribution channel until they reach shebeens in the most remote communities. The basic concept of the project is simple: Namibia Breweries will pick up Smile condoms from the government’s Central Medical Stores in Windhoek and then transport them to its’ customers using its current logistical system for beverages. In the trial phase, DAPP, a non-governmental organisation with an extensive network of field officers in Owamboland will support the ‘last mile’ of distribution from Namibia Breweries’ customers, to shebeens. DAPP will also play a key role in closely monitoring the distribution to, and uptake of, condoms at shebeens. This data will be essential in informing the rollout of the project to other regions. The Ministry of Health & Social Services will make provisions for a guaranteed minimum number of condoms for this project. As usual, “Smile” condoms will be available at no cost at shebeens in Ohangwena region thereby increasing the availability and accessibility of condoms at such facilities. Hon. Petrina Haingura, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, said condom distribution and use are key in preventing unwanted pregnancies, new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted infections, and that she is delighted to see the public and private sector coming together as partners.